Alpine pot display
We show you how to plant up an alpine container with sempervivums, saxifrages and more.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
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| At Its Best | yes | yes | yes | |||||||||
| To Do | yes | yes |
In this alpine container display, we've combined a variety of sun-loving succulents with bamboo stems, which some solitary bees like to nest in. Keep the pot in the driest and sunniest spot possible, and you'll be rewarded with a stunning display of drought-tolerant plants and even a few nesting bees.
For more ways to grow alpines, check out these projects on creating a vintage container alpine display and planting up an alpine trough.
Follow these easy steps to create your own bee-friendly alpine pot display.
You Will Need
- Sempervivum
- Saxifraga x canis-dalmatica
- Saxifraga 'Elliot's Variety'
- Alpine pinks
- Erodium 'Bishop's Form'
- Sedum spurium 'Purpureum'
- Large, shallow container
- Multi-purpose, peat-free compost
- Horticultural grit
Total time: 20 minutes
Step 1
Drill drainage holes in the container if necessary, and then add a 4cm layer of horticultural grit, to aid drainage.
Step 2
Fill the pot two-thirds full with compost and mix thoroughly with the horticultural grit.
Step 3
Place the plants in the pot, adding the taller ones towards the back. Firm them well and add more compost around them to fill in any gaps. Water the container and allow to drain.
Step 4
Add the cut pieces of bamboo, pushing them down into the compost. Angle them to deflect any rain. Cover the compost with a mulch of more horticultural grit, and move to its final position.
Kevin Smith says...
These plants will knit together to form a pretty carpet of foliage and flowers. However, split them up and pot into individual containers if the display becomes too entwined and congested, positioning them as a group instead.